CONDITION OF GREECE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17264, 4 September 1916, Page 6

CONDITION OF GREECE.

The Teutonic pr.rty in Greece has evidently done its work pretty. thoroughly, for when its own pretty schemes of hampering the Allies down under firm pressure it promptly threw the country into a suite of chaos. It lias been evident for a long time that no reliance could be placed on the Greeks. German money had bought over many influential politicians, and as the King was entirely under German influence the control of the country has been in the hands of men strongly hostile to tne Allies. Tho army, in particular, was under Teutonic influence, so much so that no effort was made, even by diplo.rn.atio means, to save tlio district east of the Struma from falling into th'j hands of tho Bulgarians. Tho evacuation of Kavnlla and tho extrrounding district and the surrender of forts and stores to tho Bulgarians was obviously prearranged; and no doubt if the Allies had not intervened the Greeks would treacherously havo assisted tho Bulgarians in tho Monastir district. "We havo no means of knowing precisely tho temper of tho people, but it is very clear that M. Vcnezelos I has an enormous popular following, and that his group, at any rate, would gladly join hands with the Allies. The extent to which this group is prepared to go, indeed, is shown by the outbreak of a revolutionary movement in Salonika, itself, a movement promptly suppressed, by the way, by the intervention of General Sarrail. But while extensive- popular support is available for the Allied cause, the army every where seems to be still under German influence, and it is easy to imagine that tho German agents in Athena have been trying, even at this late hour, to take the military group over to the enemy. The army is supposed to havo been demobilised, but in all probability only tho reserves have so far been disbanded. There must have been somo dangerous movements in progress, becauso the Allies have now taken another drastic stop, sending warships to the port of Athens and demanding tho surrender of certain activo Gel-man agents in the capital. 'Die presence of tho fleet will remind tho Athenians sharply that tho Allies havo the power to strike and striko heavily, and wo need not ho surprised if tho complete military occupation of the country is undertaken, in order to put an cud to tho dangerous internal conditions. The Allies have already stated that they will not tolerate tho existence of a, pro-Teuton administration, and as tho substitute administration has proved itself cither .■unable- or unwilling to maintain order

tho application of further pressure is the only course open. The King, according to the cable messages, is ill, but ill or well his seat on tho throno in none too secure, and as events are shaping his abdication or deposition seems to bo quite a probable contingency. Of course tho disordered state of Greece is a serious embarrassment to tho Allies, but they are dealing very firmly with the position and in a, few days, tho air will be clearer. Tb 3 resignation of the present administration and tho formation of a Veue7x>list Government, assured of the fullest support from the Allies, will no doubt bo the next development, but. the latest events conhrm the impression we had formed that Greek quiesceneo and not assistance is what the Allies aro endeavouring to obtain.